New video shows Turkish assassin pacing, looking edgy

A new video has emerged showing the killer of the Russian ambassador to Turkey lurking behind his victim in the final seconds before he pulls the trigger.

Footage taken on an iPhone, apparently a minute before the assassination of Andrei Karlov in an Ankara art gallery on Monday, shows his killer, Mevlut Mert Altintas pacing and appearing deep in thought behind the envoy.

A member of the Ankara police riot squad, Altintas had called in sick for the day, Reuters reported. Security officials said he told his superiors he was unwell and would have a doctor’s certificate on his return to work.

Other details point to the gunman’s careful preparation for the shooting. He had booked himself into a hotel close to the art gallery in central Ankara the day before.

On Monday, he walked from the hotel and gained access to the gallery by showing his police ID at the door.

The video begins showing Altintas with his hands clasped before he starts walking across room directly behind his target.

The assassin rebuttons and fiddles with his suit jacket and stares at the floor as if weighing up whether to go ahead with the shooting.